A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Countries beginning with A
Afghanistan
Resources include copper, zinc, lead, iron ore, sulphur, chromites, barites, talc, sulphur, precious and semi-precious stones, natural gas, petroleum and coal. Unfortunately, due to war and decades of conflict, Afghanistan remains a poor country heavily dependent on foreign aid and trade agreements. It has low living standards and due to a lack of government control, poor infrastructure and mismanagement, it will take years to rebuild its economy.
Albania
Resources include timber, copper, chromium, nickel, petroleum, natural gas, coal hydropower. Albania has a very sluggish economy due to poor building and business infrastructures, unsuitable rail and road networks, energy shortages, lack of modern equipment and no outside government investments. The country is putting strategies in place to help boost its economy in the coming years.
Algeria
Algeria has resources in petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead and zinc. Algeria has restricted foreign involvement in its economy and is currently sustained through its exportation of hydrocarbons. Algeria has high unemployment and poverty rates. It has invested considerable amounts of money to build new infrastructures and programs to help boost its economy and provide jobs. This program has worsened the country’s budget deficit and it will take many years for the economy to improve.
American Samoa
Resources are pumice and tuna fishing. Canned tuna is the main export and accounts for 80% of employment. American Samoa relies heavily on American trade and financial aid due to devastating natural disasters affecting the small country. Tourism might help improve the economy but poor infrastructure and road carriageways, its remoteness and hurricane susceptibility have hindered growth.
Andorra
Resources include hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead and sheep farming. Its economy is stable thanks to high tourism numbers, finance investment through banks, low tariffs and fees and exportation of cosmetics, perfume, tobacco, clothing, furniture and electrical equipment.
Angola
Angola is known for its oil (petroleum) and diamond exports. Other resources include; iron ore, phosphates, copper, uranium, feldspar, gold and bauxite. Angola’s economy has steadily improved over the years and is still recovering from a 27-year civil war that destroyed infrastructures. Agriculture and construction buildings are improving and economic growth is expected to continue.
Anguilla
Anguilla has resources in salt, fish and lobster fishing. The main constituents to a growing economy have been the lobster fishing, offshore banking developments and a healthy tourism industry. Economic stability is set to continue.
Antarctica
Antarctica has resources currently not being utilised like hydrocarbons and coal. Other resources include minerals such as gold, platinum, nickel, copper, iron ore and chromium and fishing. Krill, finfish, mackerel and toothfish fishing and tourism packages have contributed to the small economy. The largest impact on the economy is scientific research.
Antigua and Barbuda
Known for its weather and tourism industry Antigua and Barbuda managed a steady economic growth until the world financial crisis which saw the collapse of its largest financial institution. Currently it has exports in electronic equipment, bedding and handicrafts. The drop in tourism is having a negative impact on the economy.
Arctic Ocean
Due to exploitation of its resources, the Arctic Ocean has a limited economy. These resources are seals, whales, fish, sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, poly-metallic nodules, petroleum and natural gas fields.
Argentina
This highly literate country relies on agriculture exports and has resources in the fertile plains of the Pampas, oil, uranium, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore and manganese. Gold is a new resource currently being mined. The country has experienced devastating economic breakdowns through high debts, inflation and the global financial crisis.
Armenia
Armenia has small deposits of gold, unwrought copper, molybdenum, zinc and alumina used for pig iron are the highest valued exports. Armenia has a rich history in the modern industrial sector but production has slowed over the years. Debt, tax revenue drops, decline in the economy and isolation from two neighbouring countries are negatively affecting the economy.
Aruba
The sandy white beaches of Aruba have been the enticing force to a large tourism economy. Although a dip in tourism was experienced after the 9/11 attacks and the global financial crisis, infrastructure and buildings are continuing to grow and the government is making tax breaks, trade deficits and budget cuts a high priority to retain its economic status.
Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Although there is a fish resource, Ashmore and Cartier Islands have no economic activity.
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is highly utilised and trafficked for its natural resources which are crude oil, natural gas, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales), dredging of aragonite sands and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules, precious stones.
Australia
Australia is a major exporter of energy, food and natural resources like bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas and petroleum. Australia enjoys long-term economic growth and was largely sheltered from the global financial crisis due to a resources boom and trade agreements with Japan, Korea and China.
Austria
Austria has a well-developed market economy featuring a highly developed agricultural sector, a stable industrial sector and a large service sector. Its resources include hydropower, iron ore, oil, timber, magnesite, lead, coal, lignite and copper minerals. It has a high standard of living. Sound government and business practices have sustained the economy. Like all countries, it was affected by the financial crisis and although it is recovering slowly.
Azerbaijan
Oil exportation is the driving force behind the Azerbaijan economy. It was mildly affected by the financial crisis but the continued low price of oil, infrastructure inefficiencies and unenthusiastic future planning means the country has not improved economically. A gas pipeline is underway but more strategies and improvements need to be undertaken before any growth can be expected. Other resources include iron ore, nonferrous metals and alumina.
